Recurring concern
Failure to communicate safety-critical care information effectively between care providers and families
First reported 7 Jan 2014•Latest report 1 Jun 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures in provider-to-family or family-to-provider communication where the information concerns patient safety, clinical risks, care plans, deterioration, leave arrangements, incidents, complaints or other matters directly relevant to safe care.
Not included
- Excludes communication failures solely between professionals, services or departments when families are not a relevant party.
- Excludes generic failures of documentation, staffing, training or policy compliance unless they directly constitute or prevent communication of safety-critical information to or from families.
- Excludes routine information provision or dissatisfaction that is not tied to a meaningful public-safety concern.
- Excludes communication with patients, students, prisoners or other beneficiaries where families are not materially involved.
- Reports
- 70
- Individual concerns
- 74
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 94
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to inform family about developed pressure sores
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to communicate the increased infection risks associated with Downs Syndrome to parents or carers
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to communicate expected illness progression and clear action plans to families
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Develop and consult service users and carers on a written discharge care plan template.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Implement and provide written discharge care plans to service users and relatives after psychiatric assessment in A&E.
Stated by East London NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Inadequate communication with families during the ACCT process
This report raised 15 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Develop the family pathway during the May/June 2017 policy review to support active family involvement wherever possible.
Stated by Woodhill Prison -
Action
Undertake further Case Manager work using local examples and contributions from families and prisoners to promote family involvement.
Stated by Woodhill Prison
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The prison can only prompt family contact, and effective involvement depends on the prisoner’s consent.
Stated by Woodhill Prison
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Concerns raised1
Poor communication with the family about falls
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Complete a root cause analysis investigation into the failures concerning doctor contact, vomiting records, and family communication.
Stated by the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to share relevant self-harm concerns with family or friends reporting deterioration
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Hold a Learning from Experience meeting with relevant clinical staff to consider developing a care pathway, engaging family and friends, and producing an action plan.
Stated by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Inadequate communication of professional concerns and safe-keeping expectations to family members
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Document family members’ presence, offer them opportunities to provide views and observations, and include this information in assessment outcomes.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust -
Action
Introduce an assessment-outcome and plan form providing patients and, with consent, accompanying carers or family members written advice and access information.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to communicate adequately with patients and families
This report raised 18 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Recruit a Clinical Nurse Practice Educator based on Twineham ward to support staff, including communication training.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to routinely follow communication systems between families and carers
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain appropriate communication and privacy around critical incidents
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026